What we learned today, Saturday 29 July
We’re going to wrap up the blog for the day. These were the key events:
Four crew are feared dead after their military helicopter crashed during a training exercise off Hamilton Island overnight. Search and rescue teams have found helicopter debris but as of 5pm eastern time, the pilots were still missing.
Ausmin talks have agreed to increase the United States’ military presence in Australia. The defence minister, Richard Marles, also confirmed plans for Australia to manufacture and export missiles to the US.
The Matildas star Sam Kerr has declared herself fit to play against Olympic champions Canada in Melbourne on Monday, in Australia’s must-win final group stage clash at the Women’s World Cup.
Thanks very much for spending time with us today. We’ll see you tomorrow morning.
Updated
Helicopter debris found by search and rescue teams
The Queensland police acting assistant commissioner, Douglas McDonald, has confirmed helicopter debris has been found by search and rescue teams. The four pilots who were onboard are still missing.
At this time, we have located a number of items of debris that would appear to be from the missing helicopter. They will form part of the investigation as we move forward into what has occurred up there at this time. It remains a search and rescue operation and we have a number of specialist resources in place at the moment working with the ADF.
Updated
